University of North Carolina Athletics
Lippman Shines At Coupe Canada
October 28, 2022 | Fencing
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Carolina sophomore fencer Eli Lippman had a successful tournament competing in epee at the Coupe Canada last weekend in western Canada. A Canadian citizen, Lippman finished second in the junior competition, and sixth overall in the senior competition.
The results are some of Lippman's best at a Canadian National event and propel him one step closer to making the national team.
Lippman started the weekend with the senior competition on Saturday. His 11-4 record in pool play was enough to qualify for the final 16 bracket. Lippman ended up bowing out of the competition in the quarterfinals, but his record through pool play established him as the sixth-place finisher in the competition.
"When I'm competing in senior competitions, I try to remind myself, you're not expected to win," said Lippman. "They're men, they're adults. No one is expecting you to win, so go for it."
Lippman began Sunday's junior competition on fire. He went undefeated through pool play, winning all six bouts to earn the number one seed and a first-round bye in the knockout stage. He remained unbeaten to reach the championship bout and was just one touch away from capturing gold in the finals before losing to Nicholas Zhang, 15-14.
"I came into the weekend with no expectations and neutral emotions," said Lippman. "While I was competing, I kept repeating in my head to be patient and calm."
Lippman's quality results become even more impressive when considering the amount of travel and high-level competitions he has endured over the last two weeks. Lippman was at the North American Cup in Minneapolis, Minn., from Oct. 7-10, traveled to Vancouver last weekend and will now head to Philadelphia for the Temple Open with the UNC fencing team this weekend.
Though Lippman has been jet-setting all over the continent this month, he still feels ready to compete with his Tar Heel teammates in Philly.
"It's been all about managing sleep and doing my work on the go. Recently in practice, we have been training for the grueling matches. You're testing yourself when you are tired. I felt like I got to use what we are practicing a few times this weekend in the tournament," said Lippman.
The Carolina fencing team will be in action at the Temple Open with the women's team set for Saturday, Oct. 29, and the men's squad on Sunday, Oct. 30.
The results are some of Lippman's best at a Canadian National event and propel him one step closer to making the national team.
Lippman started the weekend with the senior competition on Saturday. His 11-4 record in pool play was enough to qualify for the final 16 bracket. Lippman ended up bowing out of the competition in the quarterfinals, but his record through pool play established him as the sixth-place finisher in the competition.
"When I'm competing in senior competitions, I try to remind myself, you're not expected to win," said Lippman. "They're men, they're adults. No one is expecting you to win, so go for it."
Lippman began Sunday's junior competition on fire. He went undefeated through pool play, winning all six bouts to earn the number one seed and a first-round bye in the knockout stage. He remained unbeaten to reach the championship bout and was just one touch away from capturing gold in the finals before losing to Nicholas Zhang, 15-14.
"I came into the weekend with no expectations and neutral emotions," said Lippman. "While I was competing, I kept repeating in my head to be patient and calm."
Lippman's quality results become even more impressive when considering the amount of travel and high-level competitions he has endured over the last two weeks. Lippman was at the North American Cup in Minneapolis, Minn., from Oct. 7-10, traveled to Vancouver last weekend and will now head to Philadelphia for the Temple Open with the UNC fencing team this weekend.
Though Lippman has been jet-setting all over the continent this month, he still feels ready to compete with his Tar Heel teammates in Philly.
"It's been all about managing sleep and doing my work on the go. Recently in practice, we have been training for the grueling matches. You're testing yourself when you are tired. I felt like I got to use what we are practicing a few times this weekend in the tournament," said Lippman.
The Carolina fencing team will be in action at the Temple Open with the women's team set for Saturday, Oct. 29, and the men's squad on Sunday, Oct. 30.
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